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Images

Video Tutorial

Images in Owlbear Rodeo are designed to support many different use cases. Commonly you will use images for battlemaps, enemies and player characters. However, you can also use images for a variety of other things such as attachments, notes and props.

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Image Types

In Owlbear Rodeo images are organised into a variety of types. These types help simplify the image system in a variety of ways. They allow a base level of organisation that help keep your images where you expect them. Each image type will also give a hint to Owlbear Rodeo on how to use the image. For example each image type is given its own layer so that you don’t have to manage the layering of all your images.

Below is a list of the image types and their intended usage:

TypeIconDescription
MapMap iconMaps are the base layer for your encounter and sit below the grid. Maps are locked by default so you don’t accidentally move them.
PropProp iconProps sit on top of your maps and grid. They can be used for stationary props such as treasure chests or trees. Props can also be used for spell effect templates or visuals.
MountMount iconMounts sit above props and are used for vehicles or animals. When dragging a character from the dock on to a mount it will be attached to that mount.
CharacterCharacter iconCharacters sit above mounts and are used for enemy or player characters.
AttachmentAttachment iconAttachments sit above characters. Attachments are most used for status effects but can also be used for swords or equipment. When dragging an attachment from the dock it will attach to a character if dropped on to it.
NoteNote iconNotes are the top layer of images. Notes provide a rich text editor on top of the provided image.

Using Images

An image can be added to a scene by dragging and dropping it from the dock into a scene.

Image dock

On the top of the dock is a tab for each image type. Clicking on a tab will show you all the images that you have favorited for that image type. On the left of the dock is the search option which allows you to search through your entire image library. On the right side of the dock is the All Images button, clicking this button will open the Images dialog.

Once you’ve added the image you want into your scene there are a few things you can do to edit that image. To move the image you can drag the image using the move tool, you can also select an image by clicking it.

note

You can select locked items by double clicking them. This is important as maps will be locked by default to prevent accidentally moving them.

Once selected a context menu will be shown that allows you to edit the selected image.

Image context menu

Below is a list of the default context menu items for an image:

Menu ItemIconDescription
Hide/ShowHide iconHides or shows the image. A hidden image will be transparent for GMs but completely hidden for players. Only GMs can control the this value.
Lock/UnlockLock iconLocks or unlocks the image. A locked image can’t be moved using the move tool and can only be selected with a double click.
EditEdit iconOpen a more detailed editor for the image. See here for more information.
ReplaceReplace iconReplace the image with another image from your library.
LayerLayer iconChange which layer the image is on.
CopyCopy iconCopy the image.
Attach/DetachAttach iconAttach or detach this from another item.
Edit TextText iconEdit the label or rich text for the image.
DeleteDelete iconDelete the image.

Transforming Images

To resize or rotate an image use the provided handles on the top or sides of the image.

Image basic transform controls

These controls are great for most use cases but sometimes you need more control over your images.

To get more advanced controls you can use the Edit menu item.

Image context menu with the edit menu item highlighted

Once in the advanced mode you’ll have access to the image alignment rulers as well as a new Image Controls menu item.

Image advanced transform controls

For more details on using these tools to get the perfect alignment see this guide.

Managing Images

Images dialog

The Images dialog allows you to manage all your images. You can import new images by dragging an image into the dialog or by clicking the Add button.

The image will be imported as the current type you have selected. For example if you have the character type selected then your image will be imported as a character. To change types use the type menu in the upper left of the images dialog.

Change image types

Once you’ve imported an image you can unfavorite it by clicking the the heart icon. This will hide the image from your dock.

If you wish to change the image type after it has been imported you can use the Move To option. This option can be found after selecting an image and using the action button.

Image action menu

Editing Images

Image editor

The image editor allows you to adjust the default values for your images.

To open the image editor you can select the edit icon Edit icon on an image in the Image dialog.

The image editor has pan, transform and text modes.

In the pan mode you can manipulate the viewport of the editor. The transform mode allows you to adjust the size and rotation of the image. See this guide here for more information on using this mode. The text mode allows you to set the default text for the image.

To adjust whether the image is hidden when placed in a scene you can use the hide/show button. Similarly if you wish your image to be locked when placed in a scene you can use the lock/unlock button.